U.S. patent application number 15/026788 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-01 for signaling extended earfcn and e-utra bands in umts networks.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTEL IP CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Birgit Breining, Hyung-Nam Choi, Geethika Kankipti, Bismark Okyere, Sudeep Manithara Vamanan, Michael Zitzmann.
Application Number | 20160255640 15/026788 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52995317 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160255640 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zitzmann; Michael ; et
al. |
September 1, 2016 |
SIGNALING EXTENDED EARFCN AND E-UTRA BANDS IN UMTS NETWORKS
Abstract
Embodiments of a user equipment (UE) and Node-B to operate in a
wireless communication network using extended evolved absolute
radio frequency channel numbers (EARFCN) and evolved Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) frequency bands are disclosed
herein. The UE may comprise transceiver and processing circuitry to
receive a multiple frequency band indicators (MFBI) list that
includes list elements corresponding to E-UTRA frequency bands on
which neighboring LTE cells are operated. The MFBI list corresponds
to an entry in the E-UTRA frequency and priority list or the E-UTRA
frequency and priority extension list. The number of list elements
for E-UTRA frequency and priority information corresponds to a sum
of the number of entries in an E-UTRA frequency and priority list
and a number of entries in an E-UTRA frequency and priority
extension list. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Zitzmann; Michael;
(Nuremberg, BY, DE) ; Choi; Hyung-Nam; (Hamburg,
DE) ; Kankipti; Geethika; (Bangalore, KA, DE)
; Vamanan; Sudeep Manithara; (Nuremberg, BY, DE) ;
Breining; Birgit; (Munich, BY, DE) ; Okyere;
Bismark; (Neubiberg, BY, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTEL IP CORPORATION |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52995317 |
Appl. No.: |
15/026788 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
October 31, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/063434 |
371 Date: |
April 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61898425 |
Oct 31, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/452.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 48/08 20130101;
H04W 4/023 20130101; H04W 52/346 20130101; H04W 76/14 20180201;
H04W 8/183 20130101; H04W 48/18 20130101; H04W 60/02 20130101; H04W
72/0486 20130101; H04W 4/90 20180201; H04W 88/08 20130101; H04W
56/002 20130101; H04B 17/318 20150115; H04W 8/04 20130101; H04W
28/08 20130101; H04W 36/0055 20130101; H04L 5/0007 20130101; H04W
88/16 20130101; H04W 92/20 20130101; H04W 4/60 20180201; H04W 76/15
20180201; H04L 5/001 20130101; H04W 28/0215 20130101; H04W 72/085
20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801; H04W 36/0069 20180801; H04W 88/02
20130101; H04W 88/18 20130101; H04W 4/02 20130101; H04W 72/0453
20130101; H04W 84/12 20130101; H04B 7/0413 20130101; H04W 4/80
20180201; H04W 76/10 20180201; H04W 74/004 20130101; H04W 48/12
20130101; H04W 36/305 20180801; H04W 8/06 20130101; H04W 48/06
20130101; H04L 5/0098 20130101; H04W 72/10 20130101; H04W 74/0833
20130101; H04W 72/048 20130101; H04W 24/10 20130101; H04J 3/1694
20130101; H04W 8/005 20130101; H04W 56/001 20130101; H04W 60/00
20130101; H04W 76/18 20180201; H04W 76/19 20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/10 20060101
H04W072/10; H04W 72/04 20060101 H04W072/04 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A User Equipment (UE) supporting multi-band signaling in a
network, the UE comprising transceiver and processing circuitry to:
receive, in multiple frequency band indicators (MFBI) signaling, an
MFBI list that includes elements that correspond to evolved
Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) frequency bands on
which neighboring LTE cells are operated, wherein each element of
the MFBI list corresponds to an entry in one of a E-UTRA frequency
and priority list and an E-UTRA frequency and priority extension
list, and connect to a neighboring LTE cell using information in an
element of the MFBI list.
22. The UE of claim 21, wherein each entry in the E-UTRA frequency
and priority list and the E-UTRA frequency and priority extension
list defines an evolved absolute radio frequency channel number
(EARFCN) value and a priority value for the respective EARFCN.
23. The UE of claim 21, wherein the MFBI list includes elements
corresponding to a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension list
defined in accordance with a standard of the 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) family of standards.
24. The UE of claim 23, wherein a value corresponding to at least
one E-UTRA band is in a range of 65-256.
25. The UE of claim 21, wherein the MFBI list further includes
elements corresponding to a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list
defined in accordance with a standard of the 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) family of standards.
26. The UE of claim 25, wherein a value corresponding to at least
one E-UTRA frequency band is in a range of 1-64.
27. The UE of claim 25, wherein the MFBI list further includes one
or more elements corresponding to a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info
extension list.
28. The UE of claim 27, wherein the processing circuitry is further
to: select a value to be used for the corresponding E-UTRA
frequency band based on a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension
list element if the Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension list
element is not set to a placeholder value indicating that the
Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension list element is absent and
select a value based on a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list
element otherwise.
29. The UE of claim 21, wherein the MFBI list is received in a Type
19 System Information Block (SIB).
30. A Node-B operating in a universal mobile telecommunications
system (UMTS) networks, the Node-B comprising processing circuitry
to: transmit multiple frequency band indicators (MFBI) signaling
that includes an MFBI list, wherein the MFBI list includes elements
corresponding to evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
(E-UTRA) frequency bands on which neighboring LTE cells are
operated, and wherein each list element of the MFBI list
corresponds to an entry in one of an E-UTRA frequency and priority
list and an E-UTRA frequency and priority extension list.
31. The Node-B of claim 30, wherein a total count of elements for
E-UTRA frequency and priority equals a sum of a number of entries
in the E-UTRA frequency and priority list and a number of entries
in the E-UTRA frequency and priority extension list.
32. The Node-B of claim 31, wherein each entry in the E-UTRA
frequency and priority list and the E-UTRA frequency and priority
extension list defines an evolved absolute radio frequency channel
number (EARFCN) value and a priority value for the respective
EARFCN.
33. The Node-B of claim 30, wherein: the MFBI list includes a
Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension list defined in accordance
with a standard of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)
family of standards, and wherein a value corresponding to at least
one E-UTRA frequency band is in the range of 65-256.
34. The Node-B of claim 30, wherein the MFBI list includes a
Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list defined in accordance with a
standard of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of
standards; and wherein a value corresponding to at least one E-UTRA
frequency band is in a range of 1-64.
35. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores
instructions for execution by one or more processors to perform
operations for supporting multi-band signaling in a network, the
operations to configure the one or more processors to: receive, in
multiple frequency band indicators (MFBI) signaling, an MFBI list
that includes elements that correspond to evolved Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) frequency bands on which
neighboring LTE cells are operated, wherein each element of the
MFBI list corresponds to an entry in one of the E-UTRA frequency
and priority list and the E-UTRA frequency and priority extension
list, and wherein each entry in the E-UTRA frequency and priority
list and the E-UTRA frequency and priority extension list defines
an evolved absolute radio frequency channel number (EARFCN) value
and a priority value for the respective EARFCN.
36. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 35, wherein
the MFBI list includes a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension
list defined in accordance with a standard of the 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) family of standards, and wherein a value
corresponding to at least one E-UTRA frequency band is in a range
of 65-256.
37. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 36, wherein
the MFBI list includes a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list
defined in accordance with a standard of the 3GPP family of
standards, and wherein a value corresponding to at least one E-UTRA
frequency band is in a range of 1-64.
38. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 36, wherein
the MFBI list includes, in addition to the Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info extension list, a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info
list defined in accordance with a standard of the 3GPP) family of
standards, and wherein a value within the Multiple E-UTRA frequency
info list is in the range of 1-64.
39. A method of supporting multi-band signaling in a network, the
method comprising: receiving, multiple frequency band indicators
(MFBI) signaling that includes an MFBI list, an MFBI list that
includes list elements corresponding to evolved Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) frequency bands on which
neighboring LTE cells are operated, and connecting to a neighboring
LTE cell based on information in a list element of the MFBI
list.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein each element of the MFBI list
corresponds to an entry in the E-UTRA frequency and priority list
or the E-UTRA frequency and priority extension list, each entry in
the E-UTRA frequency and priority list and the E-UTRA frequency and
priority extension list defines an evolved absolute radio frequency
channel number (EARFCN) value and a priority value for the
respective EARFCN, and the MFBI list includes a Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info extension list and a Multiple E-UTRA frequency info
list defined in accordance with a standard of the 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) family of standards and the method
further comprises selecting a value to be used for the
corresponding E-UTRA frequency band based on the Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info extension list element if the Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info extension list element is not set to a placeholder
value indicating that the Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension
list element is absent and selecting a value based on the Multiple
E-UTRA frequency info list element otherwise.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/898,425 filed Oct. 31, 2013, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments pertain to wireless communications. Some
embodiments relate to cellular communication networks including
long-term evolution (LTE) networks and universal mobile
telecommunications system (UMTS) networks. Some embodiments relate
to multiple frequency band indicator (MFBI) signaling to support
extended value ranges of evolved absolute radio frequency channel
numbers (EARFCNs) and evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
(E-UTRA) frequency bands in UMTS.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Multiple Frequency Band Indicator (MFBI) signaling was
introduced recently in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)
standards to allow elements of a cell, such as a Node-B or evolved
Node-B (eNodeB) to broadcast in more than one band if the absolute
frequency of the cell fell into multiple overlapping bands.
However, there are ambiguities and signaling inefficiency concerns
regarding MFBI support in universal mobile telecommunications
system (UMTS) networks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a 3GPP network in
accordance with some embodiments;
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a first relationship between evolved
absolute radio frequency channel numbers (EARFCNs) and evolved
Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) frequency bands with
Multiple Frequency Band Indicator (MFBI) in accordance with some
available systems;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a second relationship between EARFCNs and
E-UTRA frequency bands with MFBI in accordance with some available
systems;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for illustrating superfluous
E-UTRA frequency and priority information elements that may be
transmitted in some available systems;
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a relationship between EARFCNs and E-UTRA
frequency bands with MFBI in accordance with some embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 6 is a block diagram to illustrate E-UTRA frequency and
priority information elements that may be transmitted in accordance
with some embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a functional diagram of a User Equipment (UE) in
accordance with some embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a functional diagram of a Node-B in accordance
with some embodiments; and
[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of a method for signaling
optimization for extended EARFCN and E-UTRA frequency bands in UMTS
in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following description and the drawings sufficiently
illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art
to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural,
logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and
features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted
for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the
claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication network 100, according
to some embodiments described herein. The wireless communication
network 100 may include a Node-B 102, and user equipment (UEs) 111
and 112. Node-B 102 and UEs 111 and 112 may operate to wirelessly
communicate with each other in the wireless communication network
100. While some embodiments herein are described regarding a Node-B
102 operating in accordance with 3rd Generation Partnership Project
(3GPP) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) systems,
other embodiments can be applicable to systems operating in
accordance with standards for 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE). The
term "Node-B" should be understood as a simplification that
references the combination of Node-B elements (e.g., radio
frequency (RF), physical layer (PHY), and parts of a medium access
control layer (MAC) sublayer) and Radio
[0015] Network Controller (RNC) elements (e.g., parts of a MAC
sublayer, RLC, PDCP and Radio Resource Control (RRC)) in accordance
with UMTS standards.
[0016] The wireless communication network 100 can include a
universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) using 3GPP-UMTS
standards operating in time division duplex (TDD) mode, frequency
division duplex (FDD), or dual-mode operation. The wireless
communication network 100 can further support an evolved UTRAN
(EUTRAN) using 3GPP LTE standards operating in TDD mode or in FDD
mode. Additional examples of wireless communication network 100
include Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax)
networks, 3rd generation (3G) networks, Wi-Fi networks, and other
wireless data communication networks.
[0017] Examples of UEs 111 and 112 include cellular telephones
(e.g., smartphones), tablets, e-readers (e.g., e-book readers),
laptops, desktops, personal computers, servers, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), web appliances, set-top boxes (STBs), network
routers, network switches, network bridges, parking meters,
sensors, and other devices. Some devices (e.g., parking meters)
among these example devices may include machine-type communications
(MTC) devices. An MTC device may not need user interaction to
initiate communication with the network (e.g., the wireless
communication network 100).
[0018] The Node-B 102 may operate as a serving Node-B in a
geographic area, such as a cell 104 in the wireless communication
network 100. FIG. 1 shows the wireless communication network 100
including only one Node-B (e.g., Node-B 102) as an example. The
wireless communication network 100, however, may include multiple
Node-Bs (e.g., multiple eNodeBs similar to, or identical to, the
Node-B 102), or eNodeBs, etc. Each of the multiple Node-Bs may
serve a particular cell in the wireless communication network 100
and may or may not neighbor the Node-B 102.
[0019] UEs 111 and 112 may be served by the Node-B 102 in cell 104
(e.g., serving cell 104). UEs 111 and 112 can select cell 104 on
which to "camp" to obtain services through the Node-B 102. FIG. 1
shows the wireless communication network 100 including only two UEs
(e.g., UEs 111 and 112) served by the Node-B 102 in the cell 104 as
an example. The wireless communication network 100, however, may
include more than two UEs served by the Node-B 102. The Node-B 102
and each of the UEs 111 and 112 may operate to communicate with
each other using a code division multiple access (CDMA)
technique.
[0020] The Node-B 102 can communicate with the UEs 111 and 112 on a
downlink connection 114 and the UEs 111 and 112 can communicate
with the Node-B 102 on an uplink connection 116. The carrier
frequency in the uplink 116 and downlink 114 is designated by the
absolute radio frequency channel numbers (ARFCN). The UEs 111 and
112, and the Node-B 102 can also each support 3GPP LTE
communication. The Node-B 102 can provide system information block
(SIB) 19 (SIB-19) signals (e.g., "E-UTRA frequency and priority
info list" information elements described later herein) that the UE
111 or 112 shall use for potential cell reselection to LTE.
[0021] 3GPP Radio Access Network (RAN) working groups have recently
introduced support for extended value ranges of evolved ARFCNs
(EARFCNs) and E-UTRA frequency bands for long-term evolution (LTE)
networks to support the growing demand for E-UTRA frequency bands.
The legacy value range for EARFCNs includes values in the range
0-65535, and the legacy value range for E-UTRA operating bands
includes values in the range of 1-64. An extended value range for
EARFCNs includes values in the range of 65536 to 262143, and an
extended value range for E-UTRA operating bands includes values in
the range of 65-256, however embodiments should not be understood
as being limited to any particular range for EARFCNs or E-UTRA
operating bands.
[0022] MFBI signaling allows a Node-B, such as the Node-B 102, to
broadcast in more than one band if the absolute frequency of the
cell 104 falls into multiple overlapping bands. However,
ambiguities and inefficiencies remain in MFBI support in some UMTS
systems, at least for extended EARFCN ranges and extended E-UTRA
operating band ranges that are signaled in radio resource control
(RRC) signaling in SIB-19.
[0023] For example, according to current RRC specifications, the
tabular description given in 3GPP TS 25.331 .sctn.10.3.7.115 of the
information element (IE) "E-UTRA frequency and priority info list"
references different IEs than the procedural description of that IE
specified in 3GPP TS 25.331 .sctn.8.6.7.3c. The tabular description
specifies that each entry of the IE "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info
list" and of the IE "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension
list," corresponds to an entry in the "E-UTRA frequency and
priority" IE. This relationship is shown graphically in FIG. 2. As
can be seen in FIG. 2, according to the tabular description no MFBI
signaling, from either the legacy 202 or the extended 204 E-UTRA
frequency band range C and D, is possible for the extended EARFCN
range B. It will be understood that FIG. 2 (as well as FIG. 3,
described later herein) depicts only the relevant top level IEs of
"E-UTRA frequency and priority," "E-UTRA frequency and priority
extension," "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list," and "Multiple
E-UTRA frequency info extension list," and the value ranges for
EARFCNs and E-UTRA frequency bands covered by those IEs, and that
other fields, values or portions of those IEs can be specified in
current and future versions of standards of the 3GPP family of
standards.
[0024] On the other hand, the procedural description given in
current versions of 3GPP TS 25.331 .sctn.8.6.7.c specifies
that:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 3GPP TS 8.6.7.3c (partial) 1>for each
occurrence of the IE "E-UTRA frequency and priority": ... 2> if
the UE supports multi-band signalling and if the UE does not
recognise the EARFCN in the IE "EARFCN" and the IE "Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info list" is present: 3> if the IE "Multiple E-UTRA
frequency band indicator list" is present and the UE supports at
least one of the indicated E-UTRA bands: ... 1> if the
UEsupports E-UTRA band 65 or higher, for each occurrence of the IE
"E-UTRA frequency and priority extension": ... 2> if the UE
supports multi-band signalling and if the UE does not recognise the
EARFCN in the IE "EARFCN extension" and the IE "Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info extension list" is present: 3> if the IE
"Multiple E-UTRA frequency band indicator extension list" is
present and the UE supports at least one of the indicated E-UTRA
bands: ...
[0025] The relationship spelled out in Table 1 between EARFCNs and
E-UTRA frequency bands with MFBI is shown graphically in FIG. 3. As
can be observed upon examination of FIG. 3, no MFBI signaling 302
from the extended range of E-UTRA frequency bands D is done for the
legacy EARFCN range A. Likewise, no MFBI signaling 304 from the
legacy range C of E-UTRA frequency bands is done for the extended
EARFCN range B. Embodiments provide a signaling relationship,
described later herein with respect to FIG. 5, wherein MFBI
signaling is provided from the extended range D of E-UTRA frequency
bands to both the extended EARFCN range B and the legacy EARFCN
range A. Similarly, embodiments provide a signaling relationship,
wherein MFBI signaling is provided from the legacy range C of
E-UTRA frequency bands to both the extended EARFCN range B and the
legacy EARFCN range A.
[0026] Embodiments also reduce or eliminate the occurrence of
superfluous IE signaling. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for
illustrating superfluous E-UTRA frequency and priority IEs that may
be transmitted in some available systems.
[0027] The signaling structure in current versions of 3GPP provide
that, if an EARFCN value within the EARFCN extended value range is
to be signaled to the UE 111, 112, then the Node-B 102 will
indicate this to the UE 111, 112 by using the legacy maximum value
of 65535 in the IE "EARFCN," as shown in example blocks 402, 404,
and 406, along with other IEs, including two mandatory default (MD)
IEs and five mandatory present (MP) IEs. The UE 111, 112 will
ignore the legacy value in blocks 402, 404, and 406 and the UE 111,
112 instead uses corresponding extension EARFCNs and IEs in blocks
408, 410, and 412.
[0028] However, this approach results in wasted signaling to signal
the unused IEs. Embodiments reduce or eliminate this superfluous IE
signaling according to signaling optimizations described later
herein with respect to FIG. 6.
[0029] Embodiments provide a signaling relationship as shown in
FIG. 5, wherein MFBI signaling 502, 504 is provided from the
extended range D of E-UTRA frequency bands to both the extended
EARFCN range B and the legacy EARFCN range A. Similarly, MFBI
signaling 506, 508 is provided from the legacy range C of E-UTRA
frequency bands to both the extended EARFCN range B and the legacy
EARFCN range A. A receiving UE 111 or 112 can then merge received
signaling according to criteria discussed later herein.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a block diagram to illustrate E-UTRA frequency and
priority information elements that may be transmitted in accordance
with some embodiments in order to reduce or eliminate extraneous
MFBI signaling as briefly described earlier herein.
[0031] In embodiments, the Node-B 102 will signal an IE "Number of
applicable EARFCN." The UE 111 or 112 will then concatenate the IEs
"E-UTRA frequency and priority," illustrated in blocks 602 and 604,
and "E-UTRA frequency and priority extension," illustrated by
blocks 606, 608, and 610 based on the value signaled in IE "Number
of applicable EARFCN." In other words, the value signaled in IE
"Number of applicable EARFCN" refers to the number of occurrences
of IE "E-UTRA frequency and priority," and the value represented by
the IE "maxNumEUTRAFreqs" minus the value specified in IE "Number
of applicable EARFCN" refers to the maximum number of occurrences
of IE "E-UTRA frequency and priority extension." In the example
illustrated in FIG. 6, therefore, it will be understood that
"Number of applicable EARFCN" equals 2, so that two "E-UTRA
frequency and priority" IEs are used, and the IE "maxNumEUTRAFreqs"
is at least five, so that three "E-UTRA frequency and priority
extension" IEs can be used.
[0032] Additionally, the IE "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info
extension list" 612 will be considered first in some embodiments to
provide values for "E-UTRA frequency and priority" and "E-UTRA
frequency and priority extension." Only when a list element in
"Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension list" 612 is set to
absent (e.g., list elements 614, 616, 618, and 620) shall a
corresponding entry (e.g., list elements 622 and 624) from
"Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list" 626 be merged and used for
generating an entry in the concatenated "E-UTRA frequency and
priority" and "E-UTRA frequency and priority extension" lists. As
will be appreciated upon examination of FIG. 6, embodiments
described herein will eliminate the need to use reserved values of
65535 for EARFCN and 64 for E-UTRA frequency bands in the legacy
IEs to refer to the corresponding extension EARFCN and E-UTRA
frequency band IEs. While "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension
list" is shown as having no legacy information, it will be
understood that in some embodiments the "Multiple E-UTRA frequency
info extension list" can include legacy information. Similarly, the
"Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list" can include extension
information in addition to, or instead of, legacy information.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a UE 700 in accordance with
some embodiments, while FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a Node-B
800 in accordance with some embodiments. It should be noted that in
some embodiments, the Node-B 800 may be a stationary non-mobile
device. The UE 700 may be a UE 111 or 112 as depicted in FIG. 1,
while the Node-B 800 may be a Node-B 102 as depicted in FIG. 1.
[0034] The UE 700 will include transceiver circuitry 702 for
transmitting and receiving signals to and from the Node-B 800,
other Node-Bs or eNodeBs, other UEs or other devices using one or
more antennas 701, while the Node-B 800 will include transceiver
circuitry 802 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from
the UE 700, other Node-Bs or eNodeBs, other UEs or other devices
using one or more antennas 801. The UE 700 also includes processing
circuitry 706 and memory 708 arranged to perform the operations
described herein, and the Node-B 800 also includes processing
circuitry 806 and memory 808 arranged to perform the operations
described herein. The processing circuitry 706 and 806 can include
PHY, MAC, RRC and/or any other protocol sublayers.
[0035] In one embodiment, the UE 700 receives MFBI signaling, as
described earlier herein with respect to FIG. 5, that includes an
MFBI list. The MFBI list includes elements that correspond to
E-UTRA frequency bands on which the neighboring LTE cells are
operated. The MFBI list can include either or both of a "Multiple
E-UTRA frequency info extension list" defined in accordance with a
standard of the 3GPP family of standards, or a "Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info list" defined in accordance with a standard of the
3GPP family of standards. Both lists can be used to signal
overlapping E-UTRA frequency bands corresponding to an entry in the
"E-UTRA frequency and priority list" IE or the "E-UTRA frequency
and priority extension list" IE as described earlier herein with
respect to FIG. 5. As described earlier herein, each entry in the
"E-UTRA frequency and priority list" and in the "E-UTRA frequency
and priority extension list" defines an EARFCN value and a priority
value for the respective EARFCN.
[0036] Both or either of the "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info
extension list" and the "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list" can
be used to signal E-UTRA frequency bands in both the legacy range
of 1-64 as well as in any extended range defined in current or
future versions of a standard of the 3GPP family of standards or
other family of standards. The UE 700 will then merge the "Multiple
E-UTRA frequency info extension list" and the "Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info list" as described earlier with reference to FIG. 6
to determine which EARFCN values and priority values should be used
for corresponding E-UTRA frequency bands. For example, the UE 700
can select an EARFCN value to be used for the corresponding E-UTRA
frequency band from a "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension
list" element if the "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension
list" element is not set to a placeholder value indicating that the
"Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension list" element is absent.
Otherwise, the UE 700 can select an EARFCN value to be used for the
corresponding E-UTRA frequency band from a "Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info list" element. However, embodiments can merge the
"Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension list" and the "Multiple
E-UTRA frequency info list" according to any other criteria or
algorithm. For example, the UE 700 can merge the lists by assigning
default higher priority to entries in the "Multiple E-UTRA
frequency info list," or the UE 700 or network 100 can assign
flexible priorities to each E-UTRA frequency band, among other
criteria or algorithms.
[0037] The number of list elements for E-UTRA frequency and
priority information is equal to a sum of the number of entries in
an "E-UTRA frequency and priority list" plus the number of entries
in an "E-UTRA frequency and priority extension list." For example,
as described earlier herein, the number of list elements for E-UTRA
frequency and priority information can be less than or equal to a
value in the IE "maxNumEUTRAFreqs." The number of entries in an
"E-UTRA frequency and priority list" is given by the value
specified in IE "Number of applicable EARFCN" and the number of
entries in the "E-UTRA frequency and priority extension list" can
be given by the value in the IE "maxNumEUTRAFreqs," minus the value
specified in IE "Number of applicable EARFCN."
[0038] The Node-B 800 can transmit MFBI signaling that is included
in the above-described "E-UTRA frequency and priority info list".
The antennas 701, 801 may comprise one or more directional or
omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas,
monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip
antennas or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF
signals. In some multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments,
the antennas 701, 801 may be effectively separated to take
advantage of spatial diversity and the different channel
characteristics that may result.
[0039] Although the UE 700 and Node-B 800 are each illustrated as
having several separate functional elements, one or more of the
functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by
combinations of software-configured elements, such as processing
elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other
hardware elements. For example, some elements may comprise one or
more microprocessors, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio-frequency
integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware
and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described
herein. In some embodiments, the functional elements may refer to
one or more processes operating on one or more processing
elements.
[0040] Embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of
hardware, firmware and software. Embodiments may also be
implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storage
device, which may be read and executed by at least one processor to
perform the operations described herein. A computer-readable
storage device may include any non-transitory mechanism for storing
information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For
example, a computer-readable storage device may include read-only
memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage
media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, and other
storage devices and media. Some embodiments may include one or more
processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a
computer-readable storage device.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 9 a method 900 of supporting multi-band
signaling in a network is shown. It is important to note that
embodiments of the method 900 may include additional or even fewer
operations or processes in comparison to what is illustrated in
FIG. 9. In addition, embodiments of the method 900 are not
necessarily limited to the chronological order that is shown in
FIG. 9. In describing the method 900, reference may be made to
FIGS. 1-8, although it is understood that the method 900 may be
practiced with any other suitable systems, interfaces and
components.
[0042] In addition, while the method 900 and other methods
described herein may refer to Node-Bs 102 or UEs 111 and 112
operating in accordance with 3GPP or other standards, embodiments
of those methods are not limited to just those Node-Bs 102 and UEs
111, 112 and may also be practiced on other mobile devices, such as
a Wi-Fi access point (AP) or user station (STA). Moreover, the
method 900 and other methods described herein may be practiced by
wireless devices configured to operate in other suitable types of
wireless communication systems, including systems configured to
operate according to various IEEE standards such as IEEE
802.11.
[0043] At operation 902, the UE 111 or 112 will receive signaling
that includes an "E-UTRA frequency and priority info list" at least
somewhat similar to that described earlier herein with respect to
FIG. 1-8. For example, the "E-UTRA frequency and priority info
list" can include list elements corresponding to overlapping E-UTRA
frequency bands on which neighboring LTE cells are operated. As
described earlier herein, a total count of list elements for E-UTRA
frequency and priority information is representative of a sum of a
number of entries in an "E-UTRA frequency and priority list" IE and
a number of entries in an "E-UTRA frequency and priority extension
list" IE.
[0044] In operation 904, the UE 111 or 112 will connect to a
neighboring LTE cell using information in an element of the MFBI
list.
[0045] The UE 111 or 112 will determine the overlapping E-UTRA
frequency bands corresponding to an entry in the "E-UTRA frequency
and priority list" or the "E-UTRA frequency and priority extension
list" based on a "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info extension list"
and a "Multiple E-UTRA frequency info list" according to merging
algorithms described earlier herein.
[0046] It should be noted that the discussion of the method 900 and
other discussions herein may refer to SIBs, which may be broadcast
messages transmitted by the Node-B 102 that are receivable by UEs
operating in a cell. In some embodiments, the SIB may be a
SystemInformationBlockType19 message of the 3GPP or other
standards, which may also be referred to as "SIB-19" or as a
"SIB-19" message. The operations and techniques described herein
are not limited to SIB-19 messages, however, and may be applied to
other types or embodiments of System Information Blocks of 3GPP or
other standards. The operations and techniques described herein are
also not limited to SIBs, and similar operations and techniques may
also be applied to other messages transmitted by the Node-B 102,
including paging messages for individual UEs or groups of UEs or
other control messages.
[0047] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that
stores instructions for execution by one or more processors to
perform operations supporting multi-band signaling in a network is
disclosed herein. The operations may configure the one or more
processors to receive, in MFBI signaling, an MFBI list that
includes list elements corresponding to E-UTRA frequency bands on
which the neighboring LTE cells are operated, wherein a count of
list elements for E-UTRA frequency and priority information is
representative of a sum of a number of entries in an "E-UTRA
frequency and priority list" and a number of entries in an "E-UTRA
frequency and priority extension list," wherein each list element
of the MFBI list corresponds to an entry in the E-UTRA frequency
and priority list or the E-UTRA frequency and priority extension
list, and wherein each entry in the E-UTRA frequency and priority
list and the E-UTRA frequency and priority extension list defines
an EARFCN value and a priority value for the respective EARFCN.
[0048] In some embodiments, mobile devices or other devices
described herein may be part of a portable wireless communication
device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or
portable computer with wireless communication capability, a web
tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a
pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access
point, a television, a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor,
a blood pressure monitor, etc.), or other device that may receive
and/or transmit information wirelessly. In some embodiments, the
mobile device or other device can be a User Equipment (UE) or an
Evolved Node-B (eNB) configured to operate in accordance with 3GPP
standards. In some embodiments, the mobile device or other device
may be configured to operate according to other protocols or
standards, including IEEE 802.11 or other IEEE standards. In some
embodiments, the mobile device or other device may include one or
more of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multiple
antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers,
and other mobile device elements. The display may be an LCD screen
including a touch screen.
[0049] The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to ascertain
the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted
with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or
interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims
are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each
claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
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